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Rise Above Plastics

Turning The Tide On 
Plastic Pollution

Rise Above Plastics is designed to eliminate the impacts of plastics in the marine environment by raising awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and by advocating for a reduction of single-use plastics and the recycling of all plastics. Our goal is to educate the public about the detriments of plastic and advocate for a reduction of these single-use plastics that end up in our marine environment.

Protect our Ocean, Uphold Maui's Upon Request Law

  • On March 1 2022, Maui County Ordinance 5084 went into effect, banning single-use plastic in food service establishments. It restricts the sale and use of disposable plastic items like food containers, cups, forks, spoons, knives, and straws.
  • Food service establishments must also follow an “upon request” practice with all disposable utensils and straws. They can only provide these items if a customer requests them.
  • Food service establishments cannot supply take-out accessories in every order automatically. Staff are allowed to ask customers if these items are needed, and businesses are allowed to set up a “self serve” station for customers to help themselves.
Did you know? Restaurants can actually save money by only offering utensils and/or straws upon request. The Tiny Turtle, a Surfrider Ocean Friendly Restaurant in Cocoa Beach, Florida saves over $3,000 a year by providing paper straws upon request.
Read the Case Study
Upon Request Sign for RAP Maui Page

We can all do our part to uphold Maui Ordinance 5084 and reduce our plastic footprint:

Business owners should be informed of the policy and train all their staff to comply. They can also choose better take-out materials that do not include plastic or bioplastic, such as paper or bamboo, or even provide incentives for customers to bring their own reusable straws, utensils, or containers.
 
 
Staff should adjust their habits of providing utensils and/or straws automatically, and instead set a new standard of avoiding these items unless requested.
 
 
Customers can also help by bringing their own reusable foodware – such as cups, thermoses, straws, utensils, or food containers – for their take-out orders as much as possible. If asked, customers can always say “no” to disposable utensils or straws and opt for their own instead. If straws or utensils are accidentally provided, customers can kindly return them.

 

Helpful Resources

Maui DIY Utensil Kit

DIY Utensil Kit

Learn how to create your own utensil kit so you can say no to disposable utensils and yes to reusable utensils when on the go!

Download
OFR Staff Training Resource

Staff Plastic Reduction Tips

Tips for restaurant staff to give out less disposable foodware and save money! 8.5 x 11

Download
Upon Request One Pager for RAP Maui Page

Upon Request One Pager

A one-pager that breaks down the law and why it is good for business and our ocean. 8.5 x 11

Download
Screenshot 2025-07-23 at 9.39.17 AM

Upon Request Bill Insert

A bill insert stating that you only offer accessory items upon request. 2.75 x 4.25

Download
Screenshot 2025-07-23 at 10.52.18 AM

Upon Request Sign

A sign to display reminding customers of the upon request law. 8.5 x 11

Download
Rise Above Plastics water bottles in a Maui vacation rental

Rise Above Plastics on Vacation

The Rise Above Plastics volunteer committee is currently focused on preventing single use plastic waste in the visitor industry. We are working with vacation rentals to provide alternatives to single use plastic water bottles as a filtered form of water while vacationing on Maui. 

 

You can support this program as a participating vacation rental or as a visitor to Maui. 

Maui Visitor
Vacation Rental

Past Campaign Success

The Surfrider Foundation, Maui Chapter has been instrumental in advocating for local policies to reduce single-use plastics. In 2010, Maui County became the first local municipality in Hawaii to pass a ban on plastic bags. This was followed in 2014 by the passage of the state’s first Tobacco Free Beaches and Parks legislation. In 2017, Maui County also became the first county in Hawaii to ban the sale and use of polystyrene (“styrofoam”) food containers. Maui’s polystyrene bill outlaws the use of polystyrene to-go containers including clamshells, cups, bowls, and plates.

 

Surfrider Maui was a key player in Maui’s ban on single-use, plastic grocery bags, which went into effect January 2011.  We are excited to announce that, as of July 1, 2015, Hawaii became the first state to ban plastic bags at the point of sale. We encourage you to help your city or county take after Hawai’i’s example and help eliminate single-use plastic bags where you live. 

 

In 2014 Maui County passed a bill outlawing the use of tobacco products at all Maui County beaches and parks. The law is designed not only to enhance the health quality of public spaces, but also decrease the amount of cigarette butts littered in the environment.

In addition, Ordinance 5084 banning single-use plastic in food service establishments was passed by the Maui County Council in April 2020 and went into effect March 1, 2022. It restricts the sale and use of disposable plastic items like food containers, cups, forks, spoons, knives, and straws. Food service establishments must also follow an “upon request” practice with all disposable utensils and straws. They can only provide these items if a customer requests them.

Microplastic pollution collected on a Maui beach